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Three weeks from today, on April 24th, we learn what the Detroit Lions are doing with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Until then, we're going to continue to lay out potential scenarios for how the draft weekend can play out for Lions GM Brad Holmes and his crew. This is the latest set of projections, the fifth of the offseason series.
The last edition can be found here. That's from just after the first week of free agency. Version 2.0 came from directly before the NFL Scouting Combine.
Here's how the first round went, giving an idea of the available player pool for the Lions at No. 28:
Harmon is a repeat performer in the mock draft. He's an ascending talent with dominant physical potential at a position where the Lions can use more long-term pieces. Harmon's ability to generate instant pressure from anywhere between the tackles means he can thrive even when Alim McNeill returns from his knee injury. Harmon projects as a much higher-end version of Levi Onwuzurike's role in Detroit.
"Femi" is a player the Lions have shown interest in throughout the draft process, and the converted off-ball backer merits the consideration here. Oladejo was the second-round option presented in the "EDGE For Every Round" and that still seems like a distinct possibility if the 259-pounder is still on the board.
Packaging this No. 60 overall pick and one of Detroit's third-round picks from next year (they'll get an extra comp pick for Aaron Glenn's hiring in New York) to move up higher in the second round and land a player like Landon Jackson or Donovan Ezeiruaku certainly makes a lot of sense here, too.
Royals is flying under the national radar, thanks in part to playing just two seasons of playing college ball at Utah State. He also missed half of the 2024 campaign with a foot injury. The inexperience in his game shows in Royals' route running and use of his footwork and hands to get rid of tight man coverage near the line. However, the potential also leaps off the Aggies game film and manifested some during Senior Bowl week, when he proved the foot was fine.
Royals is a 200-pound speedster (4.41 40 with an explosive 1.49 10-yard split) outside receiver who primarily wins in the middle of the field — a key staple of the Lions offense. At 6 feet, he's got decent length. The nose for holes in the zone and the ability to instantly transition from receiver to dangerous runner after the catch give Royals a real chance to be a more explosive edition of how Josh Reynolds functioned in Detroit's offense.
McLaughlin is another previous projection making a return visit to the mock draft. As noted in version 2.0,
The Lions don't necessarily need another reserve interior offensive lineman for 2025 after bringing back Kayode Awosika, but the long-term need for a starter at left guard is certainly presenting some level of urgency. McLaughlin has only played center at Ohio State and Alabama, so any guard projection is just that--projection. That he was a vocal leader on the Buckeyes' sidelines despite being injured in his first year at Ohio State speaks to his football character and grit fit in Detroit.
Hook could--and probably should--be long gone by the time the Lions pick at No. 196 overall. Many analysts have Hook in the 120-150 overall range (he's no. 154 for me), and that stems from his high football IQ, decent reactionary quickness and his willingness (but often overzealousness) to lay the lumber in run support. Hook was also a two-time team captain at Toledo and an enthusiastic special teams ace. It's that latter role that would shine in Detroit right away while he learns on the job behind Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch as the third safety.
West has considerable experience at both guard and center. He's on the smaller side at 6-2 and 300, but the first-team All-American (playing center in 2024) plays with compact power. West isn't afraid to show his fangs, either. He needs some technical polish when on the move, but West has starting-caliber upside with a high floor.
Huntington holds the distinction of leading all interior defensive linemen in QB pressures in 2023, while he was still toiling in relative anonymity at Louisiana-Monroe. Tulane played him more outside, befitting his 6-1/282-pound frame. He's firmly in the mold of Josh Paschal, Mekhi Wingo and recently retired John Cominsky as an explosive but undersized pass-rushing DT who can play heavy end with less pass-rush oomph. The Lions have a type, and Huntington fits squarely in that type.
Editor's note: A quick best wishes to all across Michigan who have been impacted by the terrible weather issues across the state. Stay safe out there, fellow Lions fans...
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions mock draft 5.0: Updated projections with 3 weeks to go
Continue reading...
The last edition can be found here. That's from just after the first week of free agency. Version 2.0 came from directly before the NFL Scouting Combine.
Here's how the first round went, giving an idea of the available player pool for the Lions at No. 28:
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First round: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Harmon is a repeat performer in the mock draft. He's an ascending talent with dominant physical potential at a position where the Lions can use more long-term pieces. Harmon's ability to generate instant pressure from anywhere between the tackles means he can thrive even when Alim McNeill returns from his knee injury. Harmon projects as a much higher-end version of Levi Onwuzurike's role in Detroit.
Second round: Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA
You must be registered for see images
"Femi" is a player the Lions have shown interest in throughout the draft process, and the converted off-ball backer merits the consideration here. Oladejo was the second-round option presented in the "EDGE For Every Round" and that still seems like a distinct possibility if the 259-pounder is still on the board.
Packaging this No. 60 overall pick and one of Detroit's third-round picks from next year (they'll get an extra comp pick for Aaron Glenn's hiring in New York) to move up higher in the second round and land a player like Landon Jackson or Donovan Ezeiruaku certainly makes a lot of sense here, too.
Third round: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Royals is flying under the national radar, thanks in part to playing just two seasons of playing college ball at Utah State. He also missed half of the 2024 campaign with a foot injury. The inexperience in his game shows in Royals' route running and use of his footwork and hands to get rid of tight man coverage near the line. However, the potential also leaps off the Aggies game film and manifested some during Senior Bowl week, when he proved the foot was fine.
Royals is a 200-pound speedster (4.41 40 with an explosive 1.49 10-yard split) outside receiver who primarily wins in the middle of the field — a key staple of the Lions offense. At 6 feet, he's got decent length. The nose for holes in the zone and the ability to instantly transition from receiver to dangerous runner after the catch give Royals a real chance to be a more explosive edition of how Josh Reynolds functioned in Detroit's offense.
Fourth round: Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
McLaughlin is another previous projection making a return visit to the mock draft. As noted in version 2.0,
The Lions don't necessarily need another reserve interior offensive lineman for 2025 after bringing back Kayode Awosika, but the long-term need for a starter at left guard is certainly presenting some level of urgency. McLaughlin has only played center at Ohio State and Alabama, so any guard projection is just that--projection. That he was a vocal leader on the Buckeyes' sidelines despite being injured in his first year at Ohio State speaks to his football character and grit fit in Detroit.
Sixth round: Maxen Hook, S, Toledo
Hook could--and probably should--be long gone by the time the Lions pick at No. 196 overall. Many analysts have Hook in the 120-150 overall range (he's no. 154 for me), and that stems from his high football IQ, decent reactionary quickness and his willingness (but often overzealousness) to lay the lumber in run support. Hook was also a two-time team captain at Toledo and an enthusiastic special teams ace. It's that latter role that would shine in Detroit right away while he learns on the job behind Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch as the third safety.
Seventh round: Two picks
- Addison West, IOL, Western Michigan
- Adin Huntington, DL, Tulane
West has considerable experience at both guard and center. He's on the smaller side at 6-2 and 300, but the first-team All-American (playing center in 2024) plays with compact power. West isn't afraid to show his fangs, either. He needs some technical polish when on the move, but West has starting-caliber upside with a high floor.
Huntington holds the distinction of leading all interior defensive linemen in QB pressures in 2023, while he was still toiling in relative anonymity at Louisiana-Monroe. Tulane played him more outside, befitting his 6-1/282-pound frame. He's firmly in the mold of Josh Paschal, Mekhi Wingo and recently retired John Cominsky as an explosive but undersized pass-rushing DT who can play heavy end with less pass-rush oomph. The Lions have a type, and Huntington fits squarely in that type.
Editor's note: A quick best wishes to all across Michigan who have been impacted by the terrible weather issues across the state. Stay safe out there, fellow Lions fans...
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions mock draft 5.0: Updated projections with 3 weeks to go
Continue reading...
